Strange River

Source: Courtesy of Films Boutique

‘Strange River’

EXCLUSIVE: Berlin-based sales outfit Films Boutique has snapped up world rights to Strange River, Catalan director Jaume Claret Muxart’s queer coming-of age road movie, confirmed today as part of the Horizons official selection in Venice. 

The festival’s artistic director Alberto Barbera described the film as “an ambitious first film”.

Strange River follows a teenage boy on holiday, travelling by bike along the Danube in Germany with his family. En route, he has an unexpected encounter with an older boy which changes the course of the journey. The boy’s mysterious presence awakens disturbing new feelings in Dídac and disrupts his relationship with his family.

The cast is led by Jan Monter, Nausicaa Bonnín, Francesco Wenz and Jordi Oriol.

The film is produced by Xavi Font of ZuZú Cinema, whose credits include Oliver Laxe’s recent Cannes Competition entry Sirât, and Laxe’s 2019 Un Certain Regard winner Fire Will Come, as well as Andrea Vázquez of Miramemira, who also produced Fire Will Come.

Coproducers are Sophie Ahrens and Fabian Altenried from Schuldenberg Films in Germany

The project participated in the Ikusmira Berriak residency at the San Sebastián Film Festival, the screenwriting residency of the Catalan Film Academy, and in Works In Progress at Les Arcs, where it won an award.

“We are excited to partner with the producers of Sirat on the first feature of a highly talented new voice of Catalan cinema,” said Gabor Greiner, COO and head of acquisitions at Films Boutique. 

“Jaume Claret Muxart brings a new take on the coming-out story, mixing genres while following the flow of the Danube River, which is initially no more than a stream but widens as the main character grows,” Greiner contined. “Cinema audiences and festivalgoers alike will embrace this fascinating and emotional journey on bikes shot on beautiful 16mm.” 

Further support came from, among others, Eurimages; FFF Bayern, DFFF, ICEC and ICAA.

Elastica will release the film in Spain on October 3. 

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